Statutory Registers

Old Parish Registers

Catholic Registers

Census Records

Free Search Records

Playfair, William Henry

1789-1857

William Henry Playfair was the son of James Playfair, architect. He was born in London, but after the death of his father in 1794 William was sent to live in Edinburgh with his uncle, Professor John Playfair. He trained as an architect, working in London and visiting France. He finally set up in Edinburgh and achieved fame after winning the competition to complete the quadrangle of Edinburgh University's Old College in 1815.
He went on to design many notable buildings in Edinburgh in the classical style. His works include part of the New Town, the National Gallery, the Royal Scottish Academy, the National Monument and the Observatory on Calton Hill. These buildings earned Edinburgh the title of 'Athens of the North'.
William was buried in the Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh with a monument he designed himself.

View transcript.

View page 1 of the actual document.
View page 2 of the actual document.
View page 3 of the actual document.
View page 4 of the actual document.
View page 5 of the actual document.
View page 6 of the actual document.
View page 7 of the actual document.
View page 8 of the actual document.
View page 9 of the actual document.
View page 10 of the actual document.
View page 11 of the actual document.
View page 12 of the actual document.
View page 13 of the actual document.